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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink reveals all to Transfer Talk about the circumstances surrounding his Leeds United exit which left a bitter taste in his mouth

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink reveals all to Transfer Talk about the circumstances surrounding his Leeds United exit which left a bitter taste in his mouth

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has revealed why he felt he was reluctantly made to leave Leeds United for Atletico Madrid in 1999.

Hasselbaink was signed for Leeds by George Graham in 1997 after he impressed the former Arsenal boss with his goalscoring exploits at Portuguese side Boavista.

However, the Dutchman's career in Yorkshire quickly unravelled after Graham left the club to take the manager's role at Tottenham, leaving his assistant David O'Leary to pick up the reins.

David O'Leary served as George Graham's assistant before taking the manager's role in 1998

Hasselbaink, who scored 35 goals in 73 appearances for Leeds, has revealed for the first time to the Sky Sports News Transfer Talk Podcast why O'Leary's appointment eventually led to his Elland Road exit.

"David (O'Leary) was totally different (to Graham), it's always difficult for an assistant to take over once the manager has left," he said.

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"I left with a lot of negativity. I think it could have and should have been a lot better."

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was speaking exclusively to the Sky Sports News Transfer Talk podcast. The full episode will be available from 6am on Sunday, and you can watch it On Demand on Sky Sports, on YouTube, or listen to it on your preferred podcast provider.